Stockton Empire Theatre
1825 Pacific Avenue,
Stockton,
CA
95204
1825 Pacific Avenue,
Stockton,
CA
95204
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Westland Theatres
Architects: Frederick W. Quandt
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Stockton Royal, Stockton Theatre
Nearby Theaters
This is a great old Art Deco style theatre right on the end of Stockton’s Miracle Mile district. It’s gone in and out of business for the longest time and hopefully it’s new owners will make headway with it. It has a lot of promise but as far as I know it is going to be devastatingly remodeled. The lobby is going to be torn out. Horrible! It has really awesome old lights hanging from the ceiling and a grand entrance to the main screen.
Originally when it first opened on June 16, 1945 by the San Francisco based Westland Theatres chain, it only had the one large auditorium, but somewhere in time the three smaller newer screens were added on the side. They are not in very good condition but the original Stockton theatre is great. Hopefully we will see a rejuvenation of the property, not an abomination.
Sadly it was destroyed by fire on May 19, 2021. Only the façade and front section of the building survived.
Contributed by
Charles Cunningham
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Recent comments (view all 17 comments)
The theatre is open now and is some kind of coffeeshop/arthousecinema/bar/music venue. here is the website: www.stocktonempiretheatre.com
It looks like most of the bookings are for private parties. The San Joaquin film festival will be held at the Stockton in May 2009.
Construction of the theater was authorized by the Federal Goverment despite wartime restriction on private construction. The Harvey Brothers (Rodda W. Harvey Sr. and H.V. “Rotus” Harvey) argued that the theater was needed for the morale of the local port workers who were critical to the war effort. Probably Mr. H. V. Harvey’s extensive work as chairman of the theater exhibitor’s war bond effort played a large role.
From the LA Times in February 1980:
Fire of undetermined origin caused an estimated $175,000 damage to a Stockton theater. There were no injuries. Authorities say the flames gutted much of the interior of the Stockton Royal’s main theater. There was also extensive smoke damage to three adjoining theaters, recently added in a remodeling project at the Royal.
Here is a weblog post by the late Bob Wilkins with several photos of the Stockton Empire both before and after its renovation.
Ken mc: The State Theater of the photos was located in the 300 block of main street. It was remodeled and renamed the Esquire Theater in 1954.
Ken
OK, thanks.
A 2011 photo can be seen here.
Anyone looking for historical pics and info on theaters in Stockton CA should visit historical Stockton on Facebook. Gene Wright has an archive that is superb and complete. That’s right Wright has them all
I Recently Found This Exactly Not Too Long Ago That The Stockton Empire Theatre Just Got Destroyed By A Fire On May 19, 2021. The Historic Marquee, Sign, And The Front Part Of The Building Were All Survived From The Fire, But The Rest Was Devastated With Damage And The Entire Back Of The Building Was Demolished. It’s Not The Only Fire The Stockton Empire Theatre Was Involved In, Multiple Scenes Were Surrounded By The Stockton Empire Theatre In 2018 But Not Affected The Theater.